New Brunswick chief building inspector already making improvements

Published: Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 1:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 26, 2013 at 10:51 p.m.

Brunswick County has hired a new chief building inspector whose goal is to improve record keeping in a department that has seen in recent months an audit by the state listing numerous deficiencies and the demotion of its chief inspector.

Reggie Hucks, 53, is a former New Hanover County chief code enforcement official and took the reins of the department two weeks ago. His salary is $68,000 a year.

He replaces Delaney Aycock, who was demoted as part of a settlement in April with the N.C. Code Qualifications Board.

County Manager Ann Hardy said she has confidence in Hucks' abilities.

"What stood out to me is I felt confident in his ability to lead the department and I found him to be personable, had the necessary skills and his references were excellent," Hardy said. "To me he displayed integrity and commitment to the county."

Hucks, who already lives in Brunswick County, said his first order of business is to work with the computer services department to install a digital record-keeping system. He said it can cut down on paper by 60 to 70 percent.

Record keeping was a major deficiency noted in the audit performed by the qualifications board that was conducted, in part, because of Aycock's demotion.

"The electronic plan review will allow more access online by the customer," Hucks said. "That will take care of our documentation needs."

He added electronic plan review was something he helped install in New Hanover County and it should cut down on the time the process takes.

"We can do it in real time," he said. "It all takes place in a relatively short time instead of the customer bringing a pile of papers."

Hucks would not comment specifically on the state's audit, but Hardy said the county continues to address the issues.

"Every item, we are looking at and addressing," she said. "It's gone very well considering he has only been here two weeks."

Hucks could also soon take over the central permitting department, Hardy said. The county commissioners would need to sign off on the move, which is part of her continued consolidation of county departments.

As for Hucks, he said he leads by example and expects good product. He added that he has high expectations of his department.

"I would like to become a department recognized in the state," he said. "I want exemplary code enforcement."

<p>Brunswick County has hired a new chief building inspector whose goal is to improve record keeping in a department that has seen in recent months an audit by the state listing numerous deficiencies and the demotion of its chief inspector.</p><p>Reggie Hucks, 53, is a former New Hanover County chief code enforcement official and took the reins of the department two weeks ago. His salary is $68,000 a year.</p><p>He replaces Delaney Aycock, who was demoted as part of a settlement in April with the N.C. Code Qualifications Board.</p><p>County Manager Ann Hardy said she has confidence in Hucks' abilities.</p><p>"What stood out to me is I felt confident in his ability to lead the department and I found him to be personable, had the necessary skills and his references were excellent," Hardy said. "To me he displayed integrity and commitment to the county."</p><p>Hucks, who already lives in Brunswick County, said his first order of business is to work with the computer services department to install a digital record-keeping system. He said it can cut down on paper by 60 to 70 percent.</p><p>Record keeping was a major deficiency noted in the audit performed by the qualifications board that was conducted, in part, because of Aycock's demotion.</p><p>"The electronic plan review will allow more access online by the customer," Hucks said. "That will take care of our documentation needs."</p><p>He added electronic plan review was something he helped install in New Hanover County and it should cut down on the time the process takes.</p><p>"We can do it in real time," he said. "It all takes place in a relatively short time instead of the customer bringing a pile of papers."</p><p>Hucks would not comment specifically on the state's audit, but Hardy said the county continues to address the issues.</p><p>"Every item, we are looking at and addressing," she said. "It's gone very well considering he has only been here two weeks."</p><p>Hucks could also soon take over the central permitting department, Hardy said. The county commissioners would need to sign off on the move, which is part of her continued consolidation of county departments.</p><p>As for Hucks, he said he leads by example and expects good product. He added that he has high expectations of his department.</p><p>"I would like to become a department recognized in the state," he said. "I want exemplary code enforcement."</p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9907"><b>Jason Gonzales</b></a>: 343-2075</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNews_Jason</p>